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Stretch mark removal treatments are available if you’re looking to reduce their appearance.
Many people with stretch marks, understandably, want to do something about them.
Stretch marks affect many people, both men and women, and can cause them to be self-conscious, even though they are not of medical concern.
These skin imperfections have both positive and negative associations for people, such as being linked to pregnancy or a stressful period in one’s life and sudden weight gain.
While most accept their stretch marks, others find they make them feel less confident about their bodies and want to find ways to improve their appearance.
What are stretch marks?
Before looking at stretch mark removal treatments, let’s discuss stretch marks.
Stretch marks are superficial tears in the skin that are typically caused by rapid growth or weight gain. They’re a type of scarring that develops when the middle layer of your skin, the dermis, stretches or shrinks quickly. This sudden change causes the collagen and elastin fibres in the supporting structure of the skin to break down. As the skin heals, stretch marks form.
Stretch marks are very common and can affect people of different ages, genders and skin types. They’re especially common during pregnancy, puberty and episodes of rapid weight loss or gain.
They typically appear on the abdomen breasts, hips, buttocks or thighs.
How to recognise stretch marks
Stretch marks look like indented streaks on the skin. They can vary in colour and size but look slightly different based on their maturity.
There are two main types of stretch marks:
Striae rubra — red or new stretch marks
Striae alba — white or old stretch marks
When they first form, they may be slightly raised and itchy. But, in time, the colour fades to white or silver and the band sinks into the skin, creating a slight depression.
Who gets stretch marks
Anyone can develop stretch marks, but certain factors increase their likelihood:
- Pregnancy: Especially common during the third trimester as the abdomen rapidly expands.
- Puberty: Growth spurts can stretch the skin, particularly on certain areas of the body.
- Rapid weight changes: Significant changes in weight put stress on the skin, increasing the risk.
- Genetics: If your family has a history of stretch marks, you’re more likely to get them.
- Corticosteroid use: Long-term use of topical or oral corticosteroids can thin the skin and make it more prone to tearing.
- Medical conditions: Certain conditions like Cushing’s syndrome, hormonal imbalance, or Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, can increase the risk.
Interestingly, women are more likely to develop stretch marks due to hormonal fluctuations.
Even though they affect people of all skin colours, they’re more noticeable on those with fairer skin.
Are stretch marks of concern?
While stretch marks may not be aesthetically pleasing, they’re not harmful to your health.
They’re generally not due to a health condition or a sign of poor health.
Even though they’re not of medical concern, beauty standards in our society present flawless skin as the norm and, when someone does not meet this ideal, they may feel their ‘blemished’ skin is something to be hidden away.
Stretch marks are common and do not need to be treated. However, if you do want to do something about them, there are stretch mark removal treatments available.
What treatments are available?
Luckily, there are a number of options available should you want to consider stretch mark removal treatments.
But, it’s important to know, that all options can only improve their appearance not make them disappear.
The best approach will depend on the severity, colour and maturity of the stretch marks, as well as your skin type. Another consideration is cost, as some clinical treatments, can be very expensive.
Here are some of the most common options, but keep in mind that a combination of treatments may be required.
Laser therapy: Several laser therapies are available to improve the appearance of stretch marks. These treatments work by stimulating the growth of collagen and elastin, which can help to improve the texture and tone of the skin. Some of the most common types of laser therapy used for stretch marks include fractional lasers, pulsed dye lasers and excimer lasers.
Microneedling: This procedure uses a device with tiny needles to create microscopic injuries in the skin. This triggers the body’s natural healing process, which can lead to increased collagen production and improved skin texture. Microneedling generally can be used on all skin types but it requires numerous sessions to see results.
Radiofrequency: This treatment uses radio waves to heat the deeper layers of the skin. This heat can stimulate collagen production and improve the appearance of stretch marks. Radiofrequency is often used in conjunction with other treatments, such as microneedling, or you can opt for radiofrequency microneedling.
Topical treatments: Some stretch mark creams containing retinoids, such as Tretinoin have been shown to be helpful in improving the appearance of stretch marks, especially those that are less than a few months old. Retinoids work by stimulating the production of collagen, a protein that helps to improve skin elasticity. Glycolic Acid, the queen of exfoliating acids, can also help by retexturising the skin, improving tone and promoting collagen production.
What topicals are available?
Using a topical product can be a good place to start if you want a product you can use at home. And it can be especially helpful if you apply the product twice daily soon after the stretch marks first appear.
You may be able to achieve enough of a visual improvement that you may not feel the need to commit to expensive in-clinic stretch mark removal treatments.
But, the problem is, most stretch mark creams do not contain the right ingredients or the right concentrations of actives to make any noticeable difference.
Before spending money on a topical product, study the ingredients to ensure they’ve been tested clinically and shown to provide benefits.
DermEden Firming Stretch Mark Cream
We’ve selected DermEden Firming Stretch Mark Cream because it contains a number of ingredients scientifically shown to improve the look of stretch marks, such as Retinol, Gylcolic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid. This powerful combination gives enhanced results.
This stretch mark cream also contains other ingredients that are beneficial for skin healing and resilience, such as Centella Asiatica, Octadecenedioic Acid, Macadamia Oil and Vitamin E.
Research has uncovered that Centella Asiatica and Hyaluronic Acid also have the power to help prevent the formation of new stretch marks, thereby providing double benefits for you skin.
With continued application over several months, skin texture and tone will start to improve.
Treatment results
Topical stretch mark removal treatments are a great option if you’re looking for a simple and inexpensive option that you can apply at home. Patience is key as these products do take time to work.
If you have long-standing and pronounced stretch marks, and you want a significant change to your skin, you should consult with a clinic that provides stretch mark removal treatments. But know that there is no guarantee they will completely remove the stretch marks.
Yours truly in better skin
Anna Marie is a skin care professional and a graduate of one of Australia’s leading dermal institutes, the Australasian College of Cosmetic Dermal Science. She has previously developed her own skin care products focusing on actives and botanical extracts.
